Relationship Between Physical Fitness, Anthropometric Measurement, and Bone Health in Adult Men

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical fitness, anthropometric measurement, and bone health in adult men. Ninety-six adult men participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measures, including height, weight, chest, waist and hip circumference, and physical fitness parameters reflecting muscular strength, agility, flexibility, power, balance, and cardiopulmonary fitness were assessed. Whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. The results showed bone health outcomes to have a significant correlation with anthropometric and physical fitness parameters. Stepwise regression analysis proved physical fitness parameters explaining significant variance in bone health such as BMD and BMC to be focused on muscular strength, flexibility, and pulmonary function. Furthermore, anthropometric parameters including hip circumference can help explain BMC. The findings suggest that anthropometry and physical fitness can be used for the prediction of bone health in adult men.

Keywords: bone mineral content; bone mineral density; hip circumference; muscular strength; physical activity.